The study of the process of alkaline precipitation purification of solutions from silicon macroscales in the ammonium-fluoride processing of beryllium-containing materials

Abstract

The ammonium-fluoride method of beryllium materials processing is examined. An analysis of the existing sulfuric-acid and fluoride processing scheme of beryllium-containing concentrates processing is described; advantages of the proposed ammonium-fluoride scheme and possible problems that may occur when testing a new technique are discussed. Studies on determining the effect of silicon macroscales on the behavior of beryllium in fluoride solutions at an increased pH, as well as on establishing the distribution of beryllium and silicon by phases in laboratory testing of the technology on model mixtures, are described. As a result of the studies, it is found that precipitation purification of solutions from silicon with a solution of ammonia is possible at a temperature of 20-25 °C. The paper presents data on the effect of an excessive concentration of ion-fluoride in a solution on the pH level of silicon precipitation; and on the hydrolysis degree of beryllium and silicon during the precipitation.